...Rowland's Ratzinger's Faith: The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI, Excellent. Also von Balthasar's To the Heart of the Mystery of Redemption - the influence of von Balthasar on Ratzinger, Wojtila, and Vatican II is going to be one of those standard things-to-write-about in seminaries and theology departments over the next decades.
Hugely busy with various projects for schools - the first entries have started arriving in the big "Our Father" venture organised for primary schools...
Lent starts next week: pleasingly, I have a a long-booked engagement for Shrove Tuesday with a young niece, which promises pancakes and chocolate and other delights in great abundance...
And at this time of year the summer diary starts to fill up: although Auntie relishes winter and dislikes hot weather, the prospect of mild sunshine and long outdoor days is not unattractive, and some lovely things are planned for 2015 including a trip to Ireland, and a glorious walking-pilgrimage through Norfolk...
But meanwhile, the wallpaper of everyday life at present is all Stephen Fry and his horrid ramblings, plus posters and advertisments everywhere for a film celebrating sado-masochism, plus one news story after another about teachers engaging in lesbian relationships with pupils...oh, it's all so ugly,
Friday, February 13, 2015
A brief note...
to say that there will no Catholic History Walk on Feb 16th: the next is MONDAY MARCH 2nd, at St George's Cathedral, Southwark. Meet 6.30pm at the main door. Nearest tube: WATERLOO or LAMBETH NORTH. We will have a tour of the Cathedral: this is being organised in association with the Ladies Ordinariate Group.
Tradition and history, ...
.. and a sense of good new things happening...
On Wednesday evening, a meeting of The Keys, the Catholic Writers Guild. Speaker: Jacon Rees-Mogg MP. An excellent evening, Our Guild Church is St Mary Moorfields, and things begin with Mass, followed by drinks and much talk, and then a hearty Dinner, after which we gather round for the talk. This evening's topic centred on Britain's relationship with the European Community, our tradition of law, the tensions involved with other traditions...
Members of the Guild can bring guests, and this evening was particularly popular. J. and I had invited Patti Fordyce, of the Association of Catholic Women (and the Ladies Ordinariate Group)..Delia Gaze, secretary of the Guild, had invited Fr Christopher Pearson of the Ordinariate of OL of Walsingham.
The next day was an Ordinariate Day, big time. The Ordinaries from Australia and the USA are visiting Britain, and all the Ordinariate clergy were invited to a gathering at Westminster Cathedral Hall. The Ladies Ordinariate Group (LOGS) had volunteered to organise the food. Patti (see para above) did a magnificent job with a delicious array of sandwiches, and I brought to the Cathedral Hall the large coffee-machine that we use at the annual TOWARDS ADVENT Festival.
People carry coffee-machines around on buses and Tubes all the time, don't they? I mean, it's perfectly normal to wrap one up in layers and layers of plastic bags and trundle it about, looking helpless at the bottom of stairs and escalators?
One feels awfully silly lugging the awkward thing about...for the final lap I hailed a cab. Worth every penny.
During the afternoon I broke away from the conference to lead a splendid group of nuns on a tour of Westminster Cathedral.It was their annual Day Out in London, and they were having a wonderful time: among the best bits was the sight of them all munching sandwiches on benches near the Cathedral, with people hurrying to take photographs...if you haven't experienced a Pilgrimage or some other event with this hilarious team of Dominicans, you ust make arrangements to do so as soon as possible...
Great good cheer when the Sisters met Fr Christopher (see above) who has worked with them on pilgrimages etc...
Things were rounded off with tea (provided by LOGS) and photographs...I'll post one here in due course...
The Ordinariate gathering was excellent - it was actually rather moving to see all these priests together, and especially so in the evening when they walked in a great procession for a concelebrated Mass...
Later, exhausted, the LOGS team settled at a pub with glasses of wine. Most satisying.
On Wednesday evening, a meeting of The Keys, the Catholic Writers Guild. Speaker: Jacon Rees-Mogg MP. An excellent evening, Our Guild Church is St Mary Moorfields, and things begin with Mass, followed by drinks and much talk, and then a hearty Dinner, after which we gather round for the talk. This evening's topic centred on Britain's relationship with the European Community, our tradition of law, the tensions involved with other traditions...
Members of the Guild can bring guests, and this evening was particularly popular. J. and I had invited Patti Fordyce, of the Association of Catholic Women (and the Ladies Ordinariate Group)..Delia Gaze, secretary of the Guild, had invited Fr Christopher Pearson of the Ordinariate of OL of Walsingham.
The next day was an Ordinariate Day, big time. The Ordinaries from Australia and the USA are visiting Britain, and all the Ordinariate clergy were invited to a gathering at Westminster Cathedral Hall. The Ladies Ordinariate Group (LOGS) had volunteered to organise the food. Patti (see para above) did a magnificent job with a delicious array of sandwiches, and I brought to the Cathedral Hall the large coffee-machine that we use at the annual TOWARDS ADVENT Festival.
People carry coffee-machines around on buses and Tubes all the time, don't they? I mean, it's perfectly normal to wrap one up in layers and layers of plastic bags and trundle it about, looking helpless at the bottom of stairs and escalators?
One feels awfully silly lugging the awkward thing about...for the final lap I hailed a cab. Worth every penny.
During the afternoon I broke away from the conference to lead a splendid group of nuns on a tour of Westminster Cathedral.It was their annual Day Out in London, and they were having a wonderful time: among the best bits was the sight of them all munching sandwiches on benches near the Cathedral, with people hurrying to take photographs...if you haven't experienced a Pilgrimage or some other event with this hilarious team of Dominicans, you ust make arrangements to do so as soon as possible...
Great good cheer when the Sisters met Fr Christopher (see above) who has worked with them on pilgrimages etc...
Things were rounded off with tea (provided by LOGS) and photographs...I'll post one here in due course...
The Ordinariate gathering was excellent - it was actually rather moving to see all these priests together, and especially so in the evening when they walked in a great procession for a concelebrated Mass...
Later, exhausted, the LOGS team settled at a pub with glasses of wine. Most satisying.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
We met at...
...St Patrick's, Soho, for a lunchtime Mass, to be followed by a Catholic History Walk.
On appropriate feast-days, the Mass at St P's is said at an appropriate side-altar - thus today being the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Mass was at an altar dedicated to her. But because there are always good numbers for Mass at this busy London church, most of us had to use the main pews, which face the main altar - so we were all kneeling sideways to be at the Mass...however, this gave a sort of awkward intimacy which was not without its charm....afterwards a group gathered outside and we set off to explore the area and learn the history... At St Giles-in-the-Fields the Rector made us welcome (he and his congregation welcome the procession of the Blessed Sacrament from St Patrick's every summer, allow Benediction in the churchyard, and offer wine and refreshments afterwards...) . At Bloomsbury Baptist Church we were again greeted in a most friendly way and the kind lady at the desk was very helpful and the visit ended with us all saying the Lord's Prayer together...
The Walk finished at SS Anselm and Cecilia, Holborn, and the nearby Ship Inn, where Bishop Richard Challonger used to say Mass and meet his flock, in recusant times...
NEXT HISTORY WALK: Monday March 2nd, meet 6.30pm at St George's Cathedral, Southwark (nearest tube: Lambeth North or WATERLOO). We will make a tour inside St George's.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Sunday June 21st, 1.30pm meet at St Sepulchre's Church, near the Old Bailey for THE MARTYRS' WALK. Nearest tube: St Paul's.
On appropriate feast-days, the Mass at St P's is said at an appropriate side-altar - thus today being the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Mass was at an altar dedicated to her. But because there are always good numbers for Mass at this busy London church, most of us had to use the main pews, which face the main altar - so we were all kneeling sideways to be at the Mass...however, this gave a sort of awkward intimacy which was not without its charm....afterwards a group gathered outside and we set off to explore the area and learn the history... At St Giles-in-the-Fields the Rector made us welcome (he and his congregation welcome the procession of the Blessed Sacrament from St Patrick's every summer, allow Benediction in the churchyard, and offer wine and refreshments afterwards...) . At Bloomsbury Baptist Church we were again greeted in a most friendly way and the kind lady at the desk was very helpful and the visit ended with us all saying the Lord's Prayer together...
The Walk finished at SS Anselm and Cecilia, Holborn, and the nearby Ship Inn, where Bishop Richard Challonger used to say Mass and meet his flock, in recusant times...
NEXT HISTORY WALK: Monday March 2nd, meet 6.30pm at St George's Cathedral, Southwark (nearest tube: Lambeth North or WATERLOO). We will make a tour inside St George's.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Sunday June 21st, 1.30pm meet at St Sepulchre's Church, near the Old Bailey for THE MARTYRS' WALK. Nearest tube: St Paul's.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
LOGS...
...aka the Ladies Ordinariate Group. A lively and useful meeting, at which we made plans for the year ahead...the first entries have arrived for our 2015 Schools Project and it all looks set to be a big success. We enjoyed looking at the children's work: this year's project involves copying out a well-known prayer and answering some questions to show an understanding of it, and so far the entries look very good...the work of reading through all the entries, allocating prizes, posting them off, and/or visiting schools to present them will be a major activity this summer. We also plan a weekend in Walsingham, talks on a number of topics ranging from the work of a uniuversity chaplain to the state of the Church in Zimbabwe, our annual summer outing to Whitstable - Mass, lunch, talks, and a garden Rosary at the Vocations Centre, plus a visit to the sea - and some fund-raising for various good causes...
The leaders of the Ordinariates in the USA and Australia are currently visiting Britain and a LOGS team led by the splendid Patti Fordyce has understaken to tackle all the neccessary refreshments for a big gathering at Westminster.
And we're already looking ahead and booking our place at a big railway station to sing carols in December - a lot of groups like to sing (which is good) and it's important to book ahead...
The leaders of the Ordinariates in the USA and Australia are currently visiting Britain and a LOGS team led by the splendid Patti Fordyce has understaken to tackle all the neccessary refreshments for a big gathering at Westminster.
And we're already looking ahead and booking our place at a big railway station to sing carols in December - a lot of groups like to sing (which is good) and it's important to book ahead...
Monday, February 09, 2015
The Synod on the Family...
...needs and deserves our prayers.
People often see the Church's teaching as harsh or as unrealistic. Not so...the Church seeks tobe Christ's bride, and a mother to all he faithful, born in baptism. We don't seek to turn her into a nagging mother, or one who fails to understand her children's problems or the hardships faced in trying to sort them out. She cannot compromise on offering what is good, true, and beautiful. She is the custodian, not the inventor, of God's loving plan for humankind...
People often see the Church's teaching as harsh or as unrealistic. Not so...the Church seeks tobe Christ's bride, and a mother to all he faithful, born in baptism. We don't seek to turn her into a nagging mother, or one who fails to understand her children's problems or the hardships faced in trying to sort them out. She cannot compromise on offering what is good, true, and beautiful. She is the custodian, not the inventor, of God's loving plan for humankind...
Sunday, February 08, 2015
...and if you would like to experience a Catholic History Walk...
...join us this Wednesday (Feb 11th) at St Patrick's, Soho. Mass 12.45 and the Walk starts afterwards. We'll look at St-Giles-in-the-Fields, Holborn, and the pub where Bishop Richard Challoner used to preach, and more...
...and here is Auntie...
with young people from various countries (Croatia, Nigeria, Latvia) who were in London to discuss plans for the 40 Days for Life campaign. Organiser Robert Colquhoun asked me if I would take the group on a London History Walk, and so we gathered for Mass at Westminster Cathedral and then went off down Ambrosden Avenue, and on towards the river...looking at Parliament and the Abbey and more...
We finished with a late and hearty lunch with much lively talk...v. interesting to hear the Croatians talking about their country's recent history, the civil war etc etc...
They were all rather well-informed about Britain,having studied English since primary school and being familiar with topics ranging from Henry VIII to Big Ben. They picked up nuances of language, enjoyed my dislike of "Uwwazyke" (as in some one describing a conversation concerning something astonishing: "Uuwwazyke 'yeh, that's amazing, and eewuzzyke 'yeh whatever' and uwwazyke 'yeh'...and so on and so on...). They recognised the realities of life in Britain: I dislike giving cliche versions of British history or of our current problems. The conversation was open, honest, challenging, filled with good humour, and I learned a lot.
As a thank-you gift I've been offered to choose any book I like, and I'm going to get something by von Balthasar (see previous blog posts)...
Walking back down Victoria Street after this enjoyable day I had another delightful encounter - a cheery group of sandalled grey-clad Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, just crossing the Cathedral piazza after Vespers. Warm greetings, and it was a particular pleasure to meet three new postulants, newly arrived from the USA...
...and it was all rather providential, because on my "to do" list from last week's meeting of the Towards Advent Festival planning group was "Contact Franciscan Friars of Renewal and see if they will come and speak." They are keen, so we'll have a team of them speaking at the Festival and telling us what it means to be a friar and why anyone would ditch all material luxuries, wear a patched grey robe, and pledge to serve God and the poor for the whole of life in complete obedience to whatever the mission field demands...
Saturday, February 07, 2015
More on that pic of St John Paul the Great...
...and Auntie, and embroidery, and the Ordinatriate, and a pilgrimage to Walsingham....
Scarborough...
...at its most beautiful in sparkling winter sunshine.
St Peter's is a fine church and there were a large number of people at weekday Mass - so many, in fact, that I thought it was some sort of a special day...but no, it was just the normal nmber for a Thursday morning. Fr William Massie is a hard-working and cheery priest and we were soon busy on a couple of projects for the FAITH Movement...this involved a lot of checking things on the internet. The splendid 19th century Rectory is a fine building of four storeys and thick walls but the latter poses some problems for internet access when you are on the higher storeys, so I sat on the comfortable thickly-carpeted staircase where all worked well.
While Fr went off on various home-Communion visits, I took letters to post and enjoyed the sands and sea. The sun was glittering so sharply on the gleaming silver of the water that it hurt the eyes - I had to walk with the light behind me, heading out around those glorious cliffs topped with the fortifications... here the sea was blue'grey, cold and swooshing, and along the Parade the seaside-in-winter feeling was in full force, the sellers of ice-cream and local seafood all closed up...but there was delicious coffee and shortbread at a friendly coffee-shop and people sitting in the sunshine. A group of workmen in blue overalls had been busy with enormous rebuilding projects further along the shore and were tucking into a large fry-ups. It was lovely. I sat tackling some letters and enjoyed the latest Scott Hahn (called, with an agreeable nod to the fitness of things Consuming the Word).
An evening train to Leeds. The White Rise eaterie at the station is one of many places where you can get good food, and it had the irreistible offer of eggs-on-toast and freshly brewed coffee between 5 and 6pm at a special price. Delicious.
Lecture on St John Paul the Great. This took place at Holy Trinity Church in the city centre, a fine building with wonderful monuments to local worthies, solid pews, and good accoustics. The shopping centre is named in honour of the Trinity too, which gives a pleasing irony to the splendid gothic Unitarian Church which stands at its entrance.
St Peter's is a fine church and there were a large number of people at weekday Mass - so many, in fact, that I thought it was some sort of a special day...but no, it was just the normal nmber for a Thursday morning. Fr William Massie is a hard-working and cheery priest and we were soon busy on a couple of projects for the FAITH Movement...this involved a lot of checking things on the internet. The splendid 19th century Rectory is a fine building of four storeys and thick walls but the latter poses some problems for internet access when you are on the higher storeys, so I sat on the comfortable thickly-carpeted staircase where all worked well.
While Fr went off on various home-Communion visits, I took letters to post and enjoyed the sands and sea. The sun was glittering so sharply on the gleaming silver of the water that it hurt the eyes - I had to walk with the light behind me, heading out around those glorious cliffs topped with the fortifications... here the sea was blue'grey, cold and swooshing, and along the Parade the seaside-in-winter feeling was in full force, the sellers of ice-cream and local seafood all closed up...but there was delicious coffee and shortbread at a friendly coffee-shop and people sitting in the sunshine. A group of workmen in blue overalls had been busy with enormous rebuilding projects further along the shore and were tucking into a large fry-ups. It was lovely. I sat tackling some letters and enjoyed the latest Scott Hahn (called, with an agreeable nod to the fitness of things Consuming the Word).
An evening train to Leeds. The White Rise eaterie at the station is one of many places where you can get good food, and it had the irreistible offer of eggs-on-toast and freshly brewed coffee between 5 and 6pm at a special price. Delicious.
Lecture on St John Paul the Great. This took place at Holy Trinity Church in the city centre, a fine building with wonderful monuments to local worthies, solid pews, and good accoustics. The shopping centre is named in honour of the Trinity too, which gives a pleasing irony to the splendid gothic Unitarian Church which stands at its entrance.
Thursday, February 05, 2015
Been reading...
...Henri de Lubac and Hans Urs von Balthasar. Marvellous stuff.
Long years ago, I discovered that the measure of a good book is wishing a train journey to be longer in order to be able to go on reading undisturbed...or, sometimes, missing one's station and whoizzing on because of being so absorbed in the book...
Long years ago, I discovered that the measure of a good book is wishing a train journey to be longer in order to be able to go on reading undisturbed...or, sometimes, missing one's station and whoizzing on because of being so absorbed in the book...
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Candles...
...at Westminster Cathedral for Candlemas, but alas I was late for Mass because of various meetings...everyone had lovely guttering candles, I was sorry to have missed getting one...
And so the 40 days of the Christmas season ends...and I spent part of the afternoon at Premier Radio, doing an interview about Ash Wednesday.Why do we get ashes on our foreheads? The interviewer asked "I've seen Catholics with crosses marked on their forehead with ash on that day, and often wodered about it..."and so we went on, and tackled Shrove Tuesday, pancakes, Lent...
Sat in a cafe to tackle some emails, and a chap was reading a large Hebrew Bible opposite me. We got talking - long intense conversation. He came from the Czech Republic...to one of my generation (he was rather younger) there is something interesting, and rather depressing, about meeting people formed by the aftermath of post-Communism. They are not atheists, certainly not socialists, they are not paricularly idealistic although they are interested in spiritual things, and they are almost as ignorant about such things as their counterparts in Western Europe. This one was a bit different from most, being uninterested in the sex-and-shopping cult that dominates life for so many.I remember Fr Werenfried van Straaten in the early 1990s talking about the people who belonged to "what-comes-after-Communism", the emptiness and the sense of not particularlybelonging anywhere, of not havng a spiritual home...now we are into the second generation of that experience.
And so the 40 days of the Christmas season ends...and I spent part of the afternoon at Premier Radio, doing an interview about Ash Wednesday.Why do we get ashes on our foreheads? The interviewer asked "I've seen Catholics with crosses marked on their forehead with ash on that day, and often wodered about it..."and so we went on, and tackled Shrove Tuesday, pancakes, Lent...
Sat in a cafe to tackle some emails, and a chap was reading a large Hebrew Bible opposite me. We got talking - long intense conversation. He came from the Czech Republic...to one of my generation (he was rather younger) there is something interesting, and rather depressing, about meeting people formed by the aftermath of post-Communism. They are not atheists, certainly not socialists, they are not paricularly idealistic although they are interested in spiritual things, and they are almost as ignorant about such things as their counterparts in Western Europe. This one was a bit different from most, being uninterested in the sex-and-shopping cult that dominates life for so many.I remember Fr Werenfried van Straaten in the early 1990s talking about the people who belonged to "what-comes-after-Communism", the emptiness and the sense of not particularlybelonging anywhere, of not havng a spiritual home...now we are into the second generation of that experience.
Monday, February 02, 2015
Stilll...
...getting Comments sent to my SPAM box. If you have sent a Comment in the last 12 hours and not had it printed, do send it again...
Sunday, February 01, 2015
You might enjoy...
...Auntie's description of the 4th anniversary celebration of the Ordinariate of O.L. of Walsingham, in the latest issue of The Portal...
Dublin on a Sunday morning....
...and Mass in the Pro-Cathedral. The Palestrina Choir sang gloriously: lots of - well - Palestrina, and also Credo III with a special elaborate bit added for the "incarnatus est". It was St Brigid's Day and she got a special mention in the sermon and in the Bidding Prayers...
A largely middle-aged-to-elderly congregation, some young people but almost no children, except for the boys in the choir, who were reverent in their blue robes and white cottas: it was a touching sight to see them coming up for Holy Communion. They will be singing in Washington and New York in the Spring - USA readers note.
It probably doesn't really matter...but I think it's a great mistake to have too many ladies of Auntie's age and upwards, pottering about, distributing Holy Communion. They are not needed, and somehow it just looks sort of fussy-ladies-wanting-to-do-things-ish. When they first got out of their seats and went to put their handbags down by the side of the sanctuary, I thought perhaps they were getting a special blessing for St Brigid's Day or something...but no, it was just fussing-about-when-not-really-required...there were no large crowds for Holy Communion, and two priests were present, plus an adult altar server...
A largely middle-aged-to-elderly congregation, some young people but almost no children, except for the boys in the choir, who were reverent in their blue robes and white cottas: it was a touching sight to see them coming up for Holy Communion. They will be singing in Washington and New York in the Spring - USA readers note.
It probably doesn't really matter...but I think it's a great mistake to have too many ladies of Auntie's age and upwards, pottering about, distributing Holy Communion. They are not needed, and somehow it just looks sort of fussy-ladies-wanting-to-do-things-ish. When they first got out of their seats and went to put their handbags down by the side of the sanctuary, I thought perhaps they were getting a special blessing for St Brigid's Day or something...but no, it was just fussing-about-when-not-really-required...there were no large crowds for Holy Communion, and two priests were present, plus an adult altar server...
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Next Catholic History Walk...
...Wednesday February 11th, starts with 12.45pm Mass at St Patrick's, Soho. We'll explore Holborn, visit St-Giles-in-the-Fields, head down toards Fleet Street...all welcome, no need to book, just turn up.
Ireland...
...is having to vote in a referendum on whether or not the government should impose same-sex marriage. The Irish Bishops have issued a pastoral letter with a sound and useful message on the subject. They are to be commended. Politicians seeking to impose the planned law are making some very poor attempts to justify themselves...the whole project has a silly sloganised feel to it.
It would be glorious if Ireland could have an outbreak of quiet wisdom, kindness, and common sense and vote "No".
It would be glorious if Ireland could have an outbreak of quiet wisdom, kindness, and common sense and vote "No".
Random discussion recently...
...about the Harry Potter books. There's a whole urban-myth thing that has developed about them that has its fans "Didn't you know that in fact there's secret witchcraft language in there? Oh, it's all been researched..." and mothers who believe all this have banned the books from their homes and urge others to do the same. I'm unconvinced,
I've been getting, over recent weeks, various panicky messages...
...from Catholics who describe themselves as Traditionalist (often with a captital T) and who don't like the way Pope Francis talks. They seem to feel that they ought to feel all comfortable and gosh-this-is-absolutely-right about everything that a Pope says and does. And they get angry when they don't feel that way. They panic and worry and write a lot of complicated stuff. Some get postively weird about it...
Ordinary orthodox faithful Catholics don't feel this way. It isn't the way ordinary faithful Catholics are. I like and admire a lot of what Papa Francis is doing and saying. But even if I didn't, I wouldn't panic about it. I remember reading a book about Pius IX - he's been beatified - and deciding that he was on the wrong foot on a couple of tactical issues, and not particularly aware of damage done - I don't think I would have been a great fan of his (though the book enthused about him and apparently he was a perfectly jolly soul with people he knew and liked, said his prayers faithfully etc).
You don't have to worship Popes. You can stand and cheer a Pope simply because he is the successor of St Peter. Or you can cheer with a full heart - as so many of us did with beloved St John Paul the Great and beloved Papa Benedict when they each came to Britain - because you also have deep affection, admiration and love added to the knowledge that this man is Peter's successor.
But you are perfectly entitled to have reservations about a Pope's tactics or conversations. There's no need to panic, and no need to wish him ill. Think Catholic, don't give yourself a factional label, and be prepared to think along larger lines.
Ordinary orthodox faithful Catholics don't feel this way. It isn't the way ordinary faithful Catholics are. I like and admire a lot of what Papa Francis is doing and saying. But even if I didn't, I wouldn't panic about it. I remember reading a book about Pius IX - he's been beatified - and deciding that he was on the wrong foot on a couple of tactical issues, and not particularly aware of damage done - I don't think I would have been a great fan of his (though the book enthused about him and apparently he was a perfectly jolly soul with people he knew and liked, said his prayers faithfully etc).
You don't have to worship Popes. You can stand and cheer a Pope simply because he is the successor of St Peter. Or you can cheer with a full heart - as so many of us did with beloved St John Paul the Great and beloved Papa Benedict when they each came to Britain - because you also have deep affection, admiration and love added to the knowledge that this man is Peter's successor.
But you are perfectly entitled to have reservations about a Pope's tactics or conversations. There's no need to panic, and no need to wish him ill. Think Catholic, don't give yourself a factional label, and be prepared to think along larger lines.
HLI Ireland...
...that stands for Human Life International, a group run by the splendidly energetic Patrick McCrystal...we gathered at a large hotel on the outskirts of Dublin. Excellent talk from Joseph Meaney, HLI representative in Rome...discussing the Synod on the Family, the recent gathering of large families addressed with such enthusiasm by Pope Francis, etc...
Friday, January 30, 2015
Auntie is in Ireland...
...to give a talk at a conference in Dublin. My self-chosen topic for my talk is St John Paul and his message about family, human dignity and the value of each human life. His message is not widely understood. People like to think of the Church as having "strict rules", which can be affirmed, broken, or changed depending on whether or not you agree with them. But it's not like that at all. God calls us to fullness of life, to be part of his glorious idea for his beloved humanity - humanity so beloved that he arrived to become one of us...and the Church is custodian of the truth of all that, and can too easily mess things up if she becomes a nagging voice talking about rules instead of a mother who explains and teaches and cherishes the truth...
Today's press...
...brings a lot of comment about planned legislation to make it easier for women to allege rape. Apparently there is a plan to make it legally neccessary obtain evidence of full consent before sexual activity commences. There are all sorts of obvious flaws to this scheme, and all sorts commentators are pointing these out. But one commentator today starts her full-page analysis in the Daily Mail with the chatty statement that "We've all done it..." referring to meeting some one casually - perhaps sharing a taxi and getting chatting, or whatever - and then engaging in sexual activity. Apparently we are meant to assume that it's an absolutely normal thing to do and that afterwards, one has a bath and perhaps a bit of a weep with a girlfriend while chatting it over, and that's that. Uh??? Does she really, honestly think that's how most women behave? Or are we all meant to pretend that we do?
What a very odd country we now inhabit.
What a very odd country we now inhabit.
...and on the subject of marriage...
...this speech brought a recent conference in Rome to its feet in a standing ovation....and is an inspiring read...
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Every now and then...
...I reproduce on this Blog an extract from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This is because I want to make a statement about human freedom - specifically, the freedom to state truths that are important and currently unfashionable.
I started doing this because a little while ago some one quoted the Catechism during a conversation about same-sex unions, and was immediately told:"You can't say that!". And I have been told on various occasions that the Catechism "should be banned" or " should be burned".
So:
I started doing this because a little while ago some one quoted the Catechism during a conversation about same-sex unions, and was immediately told:"You can't say that!". And I have been told on various occasions that the Catechism "should be banned" or " should be burned".
So:
"Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity. Physical, moral, and spiritual difference and complementarity are oriented toward the goods of marriage and the flourishing of family life. The harmony of the couple and of society depends in part on the way in which the complementarity, needs, and mutual support between the sexes are lived out.
2334 "In creating men 'male and female,' God gives man and woman an equal personal dignity." "Man is a person, man and woman equally so, since both were created in the image and likeness of the personal God."
2335 Each of the two sexes is an image of the power and tenderness of God, with equal dignity though in a different way. The union of man and woman in marriage is a way of imitating in the flesh the Creator's generosity and fecundity: "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh." All human generations proceed from this union.
The 2015 Catholic Women of the Year...
...will be chosen in the summer, and honoured at a Luncheon in October. Nominations are now being sought - you can read more about it here. The idea is to honour Catholic women who serve the Church and the community by neighbourliness and caring for the poor, the sick, the elderly, the imprisoned, helping with education, supporting charities and good community projects...those who are elected as Women of the Year don't get any prize, just warm recognition at a Luncheon, and the whole project is aimed at foistering a spirit of service and general goodwill. Find out more by following that link...
Speaker at this year's Luncheon in October will be Fr Alexander Sherbrook of St Patrick's, Soho.
Speaker at this year's Luncheon in October will be Fr Alexander Sherbrook of St Patrick's, Soho.
Bitterly cold...
...in London - Westminster Cathedral glowing with candles and a sense of welcome. Auntie writes each month in the Cathedral magazine, OREMUS. Took a copy to read on the bus going home. The Cathedral has just launched a new group, named in honour of London martyr St John Southworth, to act as guides and to welcome visitors, show the various chapels, etc. Apparently the most frequently asked question is "Is this the place where Prince William married Kate?"
"FHB"...
..."Family Hold Back"...the old expression used in Britain when there were unexpected guests and not enough food to go round. You held back, pretended you weren''t hungry, so the guests could eat well.
In today's Daily Telegraph, there is a wonderful interview with the daughter of the founder of Abbeyfield, the network of care homes for the elderly. She recalled her father, Richard Carr-Gomm - a soldier, decorated for bravery in WWII - who raised his family in a household where unexpected visitors could include ex-prisoners, homeless people and - on two occasions - Mother Teresa. On one of her visits, Mother Teresa was too frail to manage the steep staircase, and Carr-Gomm gave her a piggy-back ride.
Carr-Gomm's daughter recalls not only "FHB" being announced by her mother at meals when sudden hungry guests turned up, but also the whole atmosphere of a house where service to others was regarded as the norm and her memories are warm, loving, and joyful...it's absolutely the reverse of so much of today's fashionable thinking on child-rearing and instant gratification - and it's an inspiration. Do read it.
In today's Daily Telegraph, there is a wonderful interview with the daughter of the founder of Abbeyfield, the network of care homes for the elderly. She recalled her father, Richard Carr-Gomm - a soldier, decorated for bravery in WWII - who raised his family in a household where unexpected visitors could include ex-prisoners, homeless people and - on two occasions - Mother Teresa. On one of her visits, Mother Teresa was too frail to manage the steep staircase, and Carr-Gomm gave her a piggy-back ride.
Carr-Gomm's daughter recalls not only "FHB" being announced by her mother at meals when sudden hungry guests turned up, but also the whole atmosphere of a house where service to others was regarded as the norm and her memories are warm, loving, and joyful...it's absolutely the reverse of so much of today's fashionable thinking on child-rearing and instant gratification - and it's an inspiration. Do read it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Excellent evening...
...with the FAITH Movement, with a talk by Mgr Keith Barltrop, tackling the question of scandals in the Church. It was honest, thoughtful, and extremely useful. He began with the description of the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles - the small community of believers united in faith, holding things in common, praying together, and then at the growth of the Church and the problems that can arise when the Church - or any instiutution - becomes powerful...
Among other issues, he explored how things that can of themselves be good - respect for privacy and confidentiality, or a sense of brotherly unity among priests - can become bad. Much food for thought there...and other issues tackled were the need for good spiritual support for priests, a sound understanding of the Church's teaching on sexual ethics, and an authentic sense of communion within the Church. In this he included a recognition of the different and complementary roles of priests and lay people, and a good relationship between the two - something which is emerging in some of the New Movements although these too can have their problems.
There was much more in the talk, and in the discussions that followed. These Evenings of Faith are provng extremely popular, and the parish hall at Warwick Street is packed. The meetings are held on alternate Tuesdays, starting at 7.30pm: more info here...
Among other issues, he explored how things that can of themselves be good - respect for privacy and confidentiality, or a sense of brotherly unity among priests - can become bad. Much food for thought there...and other issues tackled were the need for good spiritual support for priests, a sound understanding of the Church's teaching on sexual ethics, and an authentic sense of communion within the Church. In this he included a recognition of the different and complementary roles of priests and lay people, and a good relationship between the two - something which is emerging in some of the New Movements although these too can have their problems.
There was much more in the talk, and in the discussions that followed. These Evenings of Faith are provng extremely popular, and the parish hall at Warwick Street is packed. The meetings are held on alternate Tuesdays, starting at 7.30pm: more info here...
Monday, January 26, 2015
"Inclusive" or exclusive?...
...odd the way some words are used. The other day, visiting an Anglican church in London, we came across a group of people who were engaged in something they called an "inclusive Church" project. All part of a lobbying group aimed at the General Synod. Turns out it isn't about an inclusive Church at all...it aims at a specifically exclusive Church, dominated by a politically-correct mindset. It seems that the aim is to squash vocal opposition to same-sex unions, and to take every opportunity of making things difficult for anyone who still opposes having priestesses in the CofE. It's all very sad and somehow has a tired, flagging sort of feel to it. Rather stale jargon, and made-up prayers that deliberately avoid calling God "Father" and so on and so on...I expect they'll do well at the Synod.
The liveliest parts of the CofE are the Evangelical churches that run youth groups and gatherings with rousing hymns and a sense of mission centred on teaching people about Christ. They tend to avoid the bureacratic mindset that produces "non-sexist" prayers and to be committed to a more daring and authentic grasp of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...
The liveliest parts of the CofE are the Evangelical churches that run youth groups and gatherings with rousing hymns and a sense of mission centred on teaching people about Christ. They tend to avoid the bureacratic mindset that produces "non-sexist" prayers and to be committed to a more daring and authentic grasp of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...
Latest issue...
...of FAITH magazine plops through our letterbox. A review of two of Auntie's books, Saints and Heroes and Saints and Heroines ..."In writing these books Joanna Bogle has provided an entertaining and robust alternative to reading about celebrity culture. She has presented us with a vision of faith and courage and examples of true heroism."
BTW, you can find out more about these two books here and here...
The reviewer says they would make excellent gifts to young people preparing for Confirmation and wanting to choose a patron saint...
More about the FAITH Movement here...
BTW, you can find out more about these two books here and here...
The reviewer says they would make excellent gifts to young people preparing for Confirmation and wanting to choose a patron saint...
More about the FAITH Movement here...
Saturday, January 24, 2015
"Where does the family start?" mused Sir Winston Churchll...
"...It starts with a young man falling in love with a girl. No superior alternative has yet been found."
Today he would be roundly denounced for saying that, and probably made to retract the statement.
Oh, please let's bring back sanity to Britain, so that people can make kindly remarks about blindingly obvious truths on marriage and family without fear of formal censure .
Today he would be roundly denounced for saying that, and probably made to retract the statement.
Oh, please let's bring back sanity to Britain, so that people can make kindly remarks about blindingly obvious truths on marriage and family without fear of formal censure .
On a crisp, cold London January morning...
...we walked from church to church around The Borough as part of Christian Unity week. Southwark is so rich in history, and I've mostly known about London Bridge and the river, and Saxon battles against the Vikings, and so on...but there's simply lots and lots to explore as you walk through the network of streets that lie between the Borough High Street and Waterloo station.
St George the Martyr is all 18th-century-with-high-pulpit, then tucked away in a side-road is a Welsh Chapel, built by the substantial Welsh community that settled in these parts in the 19th century - it's largely disused but, pleasingly, it does host occasional services which the local MP, Simon Hughes is invited to address as he speaks good Welsh... Not far away is the charming garden which marks where a big and once popular "High Church" Anglican parish thrived: the church was hit by enemy bombing in WWII and only one part now remains, owned by the Anglicans but now closed...and then only a few streets from that is another former High Church bastion which also suffered from WWII but has a small house with some Anglican Franciscans in it, who kindly invited us to visit a charming tiny chapel restored in the 1970s...
And of course there is the great St Saviour's Cathedral - a glorious peal of bells every Sunday - and then the Church of the Precious Blood which will be familiar to readers of this Blog...
I had a dozen things that needed doing at home, but am so glad that this cold day of bright winter sunshine was given over to a throrough exploration of a corner of London I have come to love. I first knew Southwark as a young woman, visiting my father's office at Tower House, Hopton Street, next to Blackfriars Bridge. I remember a tall rather bleak building but with superb views over the Thames, and, excitingly, down below, magnificent printing works gloriously clattering and rolling with a satisfying noise, and the smell of ink...
St George the Martyr is all 18th-century-with-high-pulpit, then tucked away in a side-road is a Welsh Chapel, built by the substantial Welsh community that settled in these parts in the 19th century - it's largely disused but, pleasingly, it does host occasional services which the local MP, Simon Hughes is invited to address as he speaks good Welsh... Not far away is the charming garden which marks where a big and once popular "High Church" Anglican parish thrived: the church was hit by enemy bombing in WWII and only one part now remains, owned by the Anglicans but now closed...and then only a few streets from that is another former High Church bastion which also suffered from WWII but has a small house with some Anglican Franciscans in it, who kindly invited us to visit a charming tiny chapel restored in the 1970s...
And of course there is the great St Saviour's Cathedral - a glorious peal of bells every Sunday - and then the Church of the Precious Blood which will be familiar to readers of this Blog...
I had a dozen things that needed doing at home, but am so glad that this cold day of bright winter sunshine was given over to a throrough exploration of a corner of London I have come to love. I first knew Southwark as a young woman, visiting my father's office at Tower House, Hopton Street, next to Blackfriars Bridge. I remember a tall rather bleak building but with superb views over the Thames, and, excitingly, down below, magnificent printing works gloriously clattering and rolling with a satisfying noise, and the smell of ink...
Friday, January 23, 2015
for family reasons...
...this tune came back into our lives today. It has a charm that hasn't faded.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
THE FIRST CATHOLIC HISTORY WALK OF 2015...
...will take place on Wednesday January 28th, starting at 6.30pm (after the 5.30pm Mass), at Westminster Cathedral. Meet on the Cathedral steps. All welcome - no need to book, just turn up. Wear suitable clothes and shoes for walking! We'll be going down to the river, discovering the origins of the Greencoat Boy pub, the Virgin on the Westminster City coat-of-arms, and the name "Westminster" itself, among much else. Come and join us!
And book these future dates in your diary:
WEDNESDAY February 11th - a lunchtime walk. Meet at the 12.45pm Mass at St Patrick's, Soho.,
MONDAY March 2nd, 6.30pm - a tour INSIDE St George's Cathedral, Southwark. Meet at the door of the Cathedral. Nearest tube: Lambeth North or WATERLOO.
and, looking further ahead: SUNDAY JUNE 21st, the Martyrs' Walk through London. Starts 1.30pm at the churchyard of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, (near the Old Bailey - nearest Tube is St Paul's). Finishes with Benediction and Tea at Tyburn Convent.)
And book these future dates in your diary:
WEDNESDAY February 11th - a lunchtime walk. Meet at the 12.45pm Mass at St Patrick's, Soho.,
MONDAY March 2nd, 6.30pm - a tour INSIDE St George's Cathedral, Southwark. Meet at the door of the Cathedral. Nearest tube: Lambeth North or WATERLOO.
and, looking further ahead: SUNDAY JUNE 21st, the Martyrs' Walk through London. Starts 1.30pm at the churchyard of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, (near the Old Bailey - nearest Tube is St Paul's). Finishes with Benediction and Tea at Tyburn Convent.)
"Our Father, who art in Heaven..."
...a prayer that every child in our country ought to know.
And if you are teaching at a Church of England or Roman Catholic primary school in Greater London, your pupils can take part in the great "Our Father" project. Send a Comment to this Blog, WITH AN EMAIL ADDRESS AT WHICH I CAN CONTACT YOU, and I will arrange for you to be sent details.
And if you are teaching at a Church of England or Roman Catholic primary school in Greater London, your pupils can take part in the great "Our Father" project. Send a Comment to this Blog, WITH AN EMAIL ADDRESS AT WHICH I CAN CONTACT YOU, and I will arrange for you to be sent details.
Faith, freedom, human dignity...
...and a young priest whose cause for canonisation seems to be drawing nearer...read here.
Auntie feels, along with many other people, a personal link with this because of adventures taking aid to Poland back in the 1980s...
Auntie feels, along with many other people, a personal link with this because of adventures taking aid to Poland back in the 1980s...
Monday, January 19, 2015
AAARGH!!! SPAM!!!
...by which I mean not the pink squares of meat that we used to have fried in batter as Spam Fritters, but that sort of junk email that begins "Dear Friend, I am In Need of Help and Kno That you will be of Good Kindness" and asks for your bank account details.
But I discovered today, following an anguished phone call from a work colleague "Why haven't you answered my emails?" that a number of emails from friends and colleagues have, over the past three to four weeks, gone into the SPAM folder on my laptop. AAAAARGH!!!
I have now tackled all the emails - not without embarrassment and difficulty - but the Comments sent to this blog have proved impossible to recover. One can't post them once they have been deemed to be Spam. Alas...
While I was tackling this, a colleague had to deal with the horrible mess resulting from his email having been hacked...
And we both agreed that the whole Internet thing is, at best, a very very mixed blessing.
But I discovered today, following an anguished phone call from a work colleague "Why haven't you answered my emails?" that a number of emails from friends and colleagues have, over the past three to four weeks, gone into the SPAM folder on my laptop. AAAAARGH!!!
I have now tackled all the emails - not without embarrassment and difficulty - but the Comments sent to this blog have proved impossible to recover. One can't post them once they have been deemed to be Spam. Alas...
While I was tackling this, a colleague had to deal with the horrible mess resulting from his email having been hacked...
And we both agreed that the whole Internet thing is, at best, a very very mixed blessing.
A joyful celebration...
..for the fourth anniversary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. See here...
Approximately seven million people...
(according to TV and internet) attended Mass celebrated by Papa Francis in the Philippines, in horrid weather but with huge enthusiasm. Golly. Even if it was half or two-thirds of that number, it's an awful lot of people.
Next time you are told the Church is dying, remember that.
The Church is growing and growing: 653.6 million Catholics worldwide in 1965, and the latest figure is 1.229 BILLION.
BTW, an interesting analysis of the situation of Catholics in the USA is here...
Next time you are told the Church is dying, remember that.
The Church is growing and growing: 653.6 million Catholics worldwide in 1965, and the latest figure is 1.229 BILLION.
BTW, an interesting analysis of the situation of Catholics in the USA is here...
To the author in George, USA...
...who would like to send me the outline of his book: I would love to be in touch about this but PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS AT WHICH I CAN REACH YOU.
I am unable to reply to a Comment on this blog. The system is specifically designed so that it is impossible for me, or anyone else, to contact you via the Comment.
It is necessary for you to send me a Comment - which I will not publish - which includes you email address. I can then contact you.
I am unable to reply to a Comment on this blog. The system is specifically designed so that it is impossible for me, or anyone else, to contact you via the Comment.
It is necessary for you to send me a Comment - which I will not publish - which includes you email address. I can then contact you.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
The Evening with the FAITH Movement...
...this week at the church hall at 24 Golden Square WI (near Piccadilly CIrcus) was excellent. The speaker was Fr Stephen Dingley, who lectures at St John's Seminary, Wonersh, and looked at the whole question of human life and its meaning, tackling the deep questions. Do human beings have an eternal destiny? Are we different from animals? Why is the universe here? And even: what makes us want to ask these questions?
The hall was full. These Evenings of Faith conclude with wine and pizza and much talk. Lots of young people, mostly students. Older people are welcome too, of course. The hall is in the crypt and . on a winter night, going down the iron steps in the dark and into the warm glowing room has a slightly early-Christians-meeting-in-secret feeling to it...
Next meeting is on Tuesday Jan 27th, 7.30pm - all welcome. Speaker: Mgr Keith Barltrop. More info here
The hall was full. These Evenings of Faith conclude with wine and pizza and much talk. Lots of young people, mostly students. Older people are welcome too, of course. The hall is in the crypt and . on a winter night, going down the iron steps in the dark and into the warm glowing room has a slightly early-Christians-meeting-in-secret feeling to it...
Next meeting is on Tuesday Jan 27th, 7.30pm - all welcome. Speaker: Mgr Keith Barltrop. More info here
"Love is...
...patient and kind...love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things...Love never ends."
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
This blog...
...will be absent for a few days.
Please pray for the dear soul of Jenny Bogle, beloved wife of Professor David Bogle, and mother of their young daughter. Jenny, a much-loved sister-in-law of this writer, died this morning after a long illness.
A loving wife and mother, a gifted musician, a woman of courage and kindness.
"We do not mourn as those without hope".
Please pray for the dear soul of Jenny Bogle, beloved wife of Professor David Bogle, and mother of their young daughter. Jenny, a much-loved sister-in-law of this writer, died this morning after a long illness.
A loving wife and mother, a gifted musician, a woman of courage and kindness.
"We do not mourn as those without hope".
Monday, January 12, 2015
On Saturday January 31st...
BISHOP PHILIP EGAN will be the speaker at a special day conference on
THE PARISH AND THE NEW EVANGELISATION
looking at the message of
Evangelii Gaudium
at St Patrick's, Soho, London W1
Other speakers will include Fr Alexander Sherbrooke (St Patrick's) and Dr Caroline Fairey (School of the Annunciation).
The day starts with coffee at 10 am, and includes Mass and Vespers.
To book, contact: guildofourladyandstjoseph@gmail.com
More information from The School of the Annunciation
THE PARISH AND THE NEW EVANGELISATION
looking at the message of
Evangelii Gaudium
at St Patrick's, Soho, London W1
Other speakers will include Fr Alexander Sherbrooke (St Patrick's) and Dr Caroline Fairey (School of the Annunciation).
The day starts with coffee at 10 am, and includes Mass and Vespers.
To book, contact: guildofourladyandstjoseph@gmail.com
More information from The School of the Annunciation
Young members of the National Association of Catholic Families...
...are organising a YOUTH RETREAT for the weekend of Feb 14th/15th. It will be led by the priests of the Community of St John and will take place in Ipswich, Suffolk. The theme will be The Mass, with teaching sessions on what the Mass means, liturgy, sacrifice...
Ipswich is easily reached from London Liverpool Street and from Cambridge. Cost of the weekend is £30, with reductions for siblings. More info from Mary Lennon on 01449 723636 or email paulmichaelkeennan@hotmail.com
Ipswich is easily reached from London Liverpool Street and from Cambridge. Cost of the weekend is £30, with reductions for siblings. More info from Mary Lennon on 01449 723636 or email paulmichaelkeennan@hotmail.com
Sunday, January 11, 2015
The Thames at low tide, on a cold clear London morning...
...it was glorious to walk along, and feel at one with centuries of London's history. Always feels weird pottering along a stretch of land that will be underwater in an hour or so. The press recently highlighted a ship that went aground in the Channel - there's a sandbank that is revealed at low tide, and men sometimes go out there to play cricket, just to show that it's possible...
I've been reading a life of John Wesley, simply because whenever I go to the College library in pursuit of my post-graduate work, I always take away something to read on the train home, and after starting with WWI ( because of the anniversary in 2014 etc) I am now working my way back through the 19th and 18th centuries. I find that tackling modern history in this way works well after a few hours spent with Polycarp and Irenaeus and pondering Nicea and Chalcedon...
The bells of St Paul's were pealing out as I made my way along the riverside, and then I was met by the peal of St Saviour's as I hurried through the Borough Market for Mass at Precious Blood Church.
A full church for the 11 am Mass, and we had a retired "Flying Bishop", Mgr Edwin Barnes, concelebrating with the Rector...later, making my way to Islington on a family visit, walking along by the canal, I found myself pondering the long, long history of Christianity in our land...
I've been reading a life of John Wesley, simply because whenever I go to the College library in pursuit of my post-graduate work, I always take away something to read on the train home, and after starting with WWI ( because of the anniversary in 2014 etc) I am now working my way back through the 19th and 18th centuries. I find that tackling modern history in this way works well after a few hours spent with Polycarp and Irenaeus and pondering Nicea and Chalcedon...
The bells of St Paul's were pealing out as I made my way along the riverside, and then I was met by the peal of St Saviour's as I hurried through the Borough Market for Mass at Precious Blood Church.
A full church for the 11 am Mass, and we had a retired "Flying Bishop", Mgr Edwin Barnes, concelebrating with the Rector...later, making my way to Islington on a family visit, walking along by the canal, I found myself pondering the long, long history of Christianity in our land...
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Extraordinarily...
...on Wednesday morning I happened to have a thoughtful and rather moving discussion with a Moslem girl. She had seen me using my rosary and asked me about it. We had a quiet talk about God and prayer...something rather special in a random meeting in busy London...
Later that day the ghastly murders took place in Paris.
Mutual respect and neighbourliness is central to a civilised society. In the discussion with the Moslem girl, we didn't get on to the subject of whether or not Mohammed is an authentic prophet. I don't think he is. And I believe that his followers are wrong in claiming that Jesus Christ didn't die on the Cross. They are muddled and confused, and it is right that there should be open discussion about this. In our conversation, we didn't cover these matters: we were strangers who simply got talking, and it was good to be thinking of God together.
I hope that over the next years it will continue to be possible to talk about religion in an ordinary way. I hope that I will be allowed to repeat the statement that I have just made above about Mohammed. I inmtend to do so from time to time, as a quiet statement about freedom and integrity.
Later that day the ghastly murders took place in Paris.
Mutual respect and neighbourliness is central to a civilised society. In the discussion with the Moslem girl, we didn't get on to the subject of whether or not Mohammed is an authentic prophet. I don't think he is. And I believe that his followers are wrong in claiming that Jesus Christ didn't die on the Cross. They are muddled and confused, and it is right that there should be open discussion about this. In our conversation, we didn't cover these matters: we were strangers who simply got talking, and it was good to be thinking of God together.
I hope that over the next years it will continue to be possible to talk about religion in an ordinary way. I hope that I will be allowed to repeat the statement that I have just made above about Mohammed. I inmtend to do so from time to time, as a quiet statement about freedom and integrity.
Friday, January 09, 2015
Pope Francis has excommunicated...
...a priest in Australia who supports same-sex marriage and priestesses. You probably won't find much about this on the ramblings of self-appointed Guardians of The Catholic Tradition who write pompously and whose hatred of the Holy Father keeps bubbling up. Nor will the general mass media pick up the story. Read about it here...
Lunch and...
...a lengthy discussion with a longstanding friend, a devout Anglican. A classicist, a fine teacher, and a generous and large-minded lady whose ideas and conversation are always of interest...she has long been very unhappy at the C of E's wobbling on issues such as same-sex unions or remarriage following divorce, and its imposition of priestesses. She has friends who have joined the Ordinariate or have been thinking of doing so, but is herself unconvinced about specific aspects of Catholic belief, especially Marian doctrines. She is glad that at present she can worship in a church near her home where there is a clergyman who opposes the ordination of women, and where, at least for now, there is no prospect of a lady bishop interfering with things..."and you can't plan ahead, you can only trust God..."
We have been friends for years, and worked together on a number of projects: our friendship is centred on shared beliefs and values. But the notion that Catholics have warped ideas on Mary run very deep in much Evangelical literature and culture...affecting a great many people who are also unimpressed when they see what appears to be weird activity with people kissing a statue or putting coins under it etc etc...
I think at one level there is a recognition that popular Cathlic piety and traditions should not be mistaken for idolatry...but there is also a feeling that, while the authority and strength of the Church are to be valued, these are swamped by a "clutter" which is unacceptable, or sort of alien.
Yet the CofE through which she has encountered Christ and which has nurtured her faith over the years is no longer something on which she can rely.
We walked down Whitehall together, as she had a teaching engagement nearby, and I was en route to a meeting too...a London we both love in a country for which we both feel a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility...
We have been friends for years, and worked together on a number of projects: our friendship is centred on shared beliefs and values. But the notion that Catholics have warped ideas on Mary run very deep in much Evangelical literature and culture...affecting a great many people who are also unimpressed when they see what appears to be weird activity with people kissing a statue or putting coins under it etc etc...
I think at one level there is a recognition that popular Cathlic piety and traditions should not be mistaken for idolatry...but there is also a feeling that, while the authority and strength of the Church are to be valued, these are swamped by a "clutter" which is unacceptable, or sort of alien.
Yet the CofE through which she has encountered Christ and which has nurtured her faith over the years is no longer something on which she can rely.
We walked down Whitehall together, as she had a teaching engagement nearby, and I was en route to a meeting too...a London we both love in a country for which we both feel a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility...
Wednesday, January 07, 2015
Busy day...
...with colleague Clare Anderson (see below) working on editing and checking our latest EWTN feature.We are good friends as well as colleagures, so we first enjoyed a late-night talk over mugs of tea, catching up on family news etc. Then thenext day was given over fully to work...and we emailed the resulted to the Director and hope he will be pleased...there is still more to do, and it's been a big project...
Then after a drive through wintry countryside, a train to London for an excellent Epiphany Party held in aid of the Ordinariate. This was huge fun, a good mix of interesting guests, a generous buffet with mince pies (served with Wensleydale chese, as the host was a Yorkshireman...delicious),jugfuls of mulled wine,..
This morning, I took down the Christmas cards and decorations. Christmas never loses its joy and charm. And now January brings its own projects. I'm repacking the suitcase-on-wheels with my laptop and papers for another couple of meetings this evening...
Then after a drive through wintry countryside, a train to London for an excellent Epiphany Party held in aid of the Ordinariate. This was huge fun, a good mix of interesting guests, a generous buffet with mince pies (served with Wensleydale chese, as the host was a Yorkshireman...delicious),jugfuls of mulled wine,..
This morning, I took down the Christmas cards and decorations. Christmas never loses its joy and charm. And now January brings its own projects. I'm repacking the suitcase-on-wheels with my laptop and papers for another couple of meetings this evening...
At St Raphael's...
...the beautiful church on the outskirts of Kingston, with a fascinating history now the parish church for the Catholics of Subiton....the funeral of Ruth Real, long-time secretary of the Association of Catholic Women. The church was full, and afterwards there was delicious food and wine in the parish rooms and an opportunity for us all to talk...old friends, a sense of gratitde for dear Ruth's life and her generous work in so many fields...
The parish halls at St Raphael's were originally built as a school for the local poor children, and have recently been refurbished to offer good facilities for parish needs. In addition to the lovely room in which we were all lunching, with its bright and well-equipped kitchens, there is a fine library in whch I browsed, borrowing a couple of good books by and about St John Paul...
Then a walk along the river to catch the train up to London, for a meeting of the Ladies Ordinariate Group - and finally a late train out into the country, to stay with Clare Anderson, my colleague on various TV projects for EWTN.
Because I travel about a lot, I seem always to be trundling a small suitcase-on-wheels, and have discovered that this is turning into a sort of Auntie Joanna trademark - "here she comes, sounding like a railway..." . The suitcase means that I can have my laptop, plus overnight clothes etc, plus a couple of books and the papers for whatever is the latest project - and occasionally also some sewing or other work. I have tried using a small knapsack but I think I look stupid - you can see an example when the latest EWTN programme is aired. I'm wearing a bright red-and-yellow backpack acquired at the Madrid World Youth Day, of which I became rather fond. Looked great at WYD, looks hopeless three years later with a smart jacket-and-skirt-for-TV....
The parish halls at St Raphael's were originally built as a school for the local poor children, and have recently been refurbished to offer good facilities for parish needs. In addition to the lovely room in which we were all lunching, with its bright and well-equipped kitchens, there is a fine library in whch I browsed, borrowing a couple of good books by and about St John Paul...
Then a walk along the river to catch the train up to London, for a meeting of the Ladies Ordinariate Group - and finally a late train out into the country, to stay with Clare Anderson, my colleague on various TV projects for EWTN.
Because I travel about a lot, I seem always to be trundling a small suitcase-on-wheels, and have discovered that this is turning into a sort of Auntie Joanna trademark - "here she comes, sounding like a railway..." . The suitcase means that I can have my laptop, plus overnight clothes etc, plus a couple of books and the papers for whatever is the latest project - and occasionally also some sewing or other work. I have tried using a small knapsack but I think I look stupid - you can see an example when the latest EWTN programme is aired. I'm wearing a bright red-and-yellow backpack acquired at the Madrid World Youth Day, of which I became rather fond. Looked great at WYD, looks hopeless three years later with a smart jacket-and-skirt-for-TV....
Sunday, January 04, 2015
BLESSING....
Yesterday evening, J. and I went to a vigil Mass and then enjoyed a special supper with Christmas-pudding-fried-in-butter and brandy cream...and some delicious damson liqueur (a Christmas gift)...and fudge (ditto)...
...and then at Mass today we had the Blessing of Chalk. Small sticks of chalk blessed in front of the Nativity scene set up in the chapel to one side of the chancel, and then distributed with small slips of paper with the prayer for the blessing of our homes.
Jamie and I first learned of this in Austria, and it is now catching on in Britain. As you say the prayer, you chalk up, over the front door, the initials of the three Wise Men and the date:
20 C + M + B 15
We have been doing it year on year, so all I needed to do this evening as I carried out a chair to the front step and climbed up, was to change the 4 to a 5, while saying the little prayer and making the Sign of the Cross, asking God to bless our home and us in the year ahead...
And this is the prayer:
God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten One to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who live here. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Trawling the web, I found lots of good material on this house blessing tradition, and this site is particularly good...
...and then at Mass today we had the Blessing of Chalk. Small sticks of chalk blessed in front of the Nativity scene set up in the chapel to one side of the chancel, and then distributed with small slips of paper with the prayer for the blessing of our homes.
Jamie and I first learned of this in Austria, and it is now catching on in Britain. As you say the prayer, you chalk up, over the front door, the initials of the three Wise Men and the date:
20 C + M + B 15
We have been doing it year on year, so all I needed to do this evening as I carried out a chair to the front step and climbed up, was to change the 4 to a 5, while saying the little prayer and making the Sign of the Cross, asking God to bless our home and us in the year ahead...
And this is the prayer:
God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten One to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who live here. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Trawling the web, I found lots of good material on this house blessing tradition, and this site is particularly good...
Saturday, January 03, 2015
A well deserved honour...
...HM the Queen has appointed Professor Jack Scarisbrick an MBE. This is a well-deserved honour, and a tribute to his magnificent work in defending human life, establishing the Zoe's Place Hospice, and much more...and a distinguished career as an historian making a superb contribution to the study of the Tudor period and to the religious history of our country.
Jack and Nuala established the LIFE Movement years and years ago...and it was reading one of their booklets that helped me to understand deeply just why abortion was so wrong, and how important it was to prevent it. Over the years, I heard Jack speak on this and related subjects, always with clarity and wisdom, always in a way that made his hearers understand and grasp the issues involved.Then, more recently, he was one of the lecturers when I was studying for my BA, and I realised what a superb historian he was...it was a privilege to be one of his students and he held us spellbound. He was by then Professory Emeritus at Warwick University, and author of a number of books - his work has meant that superficial assessments of the Tudor period have had to be re-evaluated, and old cliches challenged.
All this - plus a geniality and (rare thing) a genuine humility. His many friends will be thrilled that his contribution to our country has been recognised.
Jack and Nuala established the LIFE Movement years and years ago...and it was reading one of their booklets that helped me to understand deeply just why abortion was so wrong, and how important it was to prevent it. Over the years, I heard Jack speak on this and related subjects, always with clarity and wisdom, always in a way that made his hearers understand and grasp the issues involved.Then, more recently, he was one of the lecturers when I was studying for my BA, and I realised what a superb historian he was...it was a privilege to be one of his students and he held us spellbound. He was by then Professory Emeritus at Warwick University, and author of a number of books - his work has meant that superficial assessments of the Tudor period have had to be re-evaluated, and old cliches challenged.
All this - plus a geniality and (rare thing) a genuine humility. His many friends will be thrilled that his contribution to our country has been recognised.
Some time, soon...
...the Polish martyr Jerzy Popieluszko will be canonised. He is already Blessed. A miracle obtained through his intercesssion is required before sainthood can be conferred. Read an astonishing account here...and there is a film about his life, info here...
In October, I spent some time in Poland with colleague Clare Anderson, working on a new TV feature on St John Paul the Great. This was a follow-up to our earlier feature on the life of St JP - this time we were exploring his message and legacy (the programme will be broadcast during 2015 - Clare and I are spending next week working on the editing). .
As part of this new JPII feature, we went to the grave of Blessed Jerzy and its accompanying museum. This was a powerful experience. Jamie and I visited the grave back in the 1980s, when Poland was still under martial law and we were bringing in booklets and other assistance for the then-banned Solidarity groups. In those days, praying at Fr Jerzy's grave meant, among much else, expressing solidarity with Solidarity. And the church at Zoliborz, and the churchyard, and the surrounding area, were "free Poland", a small bit of territory that the authorities could not touch.
And now all of Poland is free, and we are all in a new era with new challenges.
Over the Christmas break, I've been reading a biography of Blessed Jerzy. The story is much more, than just a martyr-under-Communism - although he was that, and his martyrdom was savage. It is also the story of a dedicated priest, a model for today's young priests...and his story needs to be better known and understood here in the West.
In October, I spent some time in Poland with colleague Clare Anderson, working on a new TV feature on St John Paul the Great. This was a follow-up to our earlier feature on the life of St JP - this time we were exploring his message and legacy (the programme will be broadcast during 2015 - Clare and I are spending next week working on the editing). .
As part of this new JPII feature, we went to the grave of Blessed Jerzy and its accompanying museum. This was a powerful experience. Jamie and I visited the grave back in the 1980s, when Poland was still under martial law and we were bringing in booklets and other assistance for the then-banned Solidarity groups. In those days, praying at Fr Jerzy's grave meant, among much else, expressing solidarity with Solidarity. And the church at Zoliborz, and the churchyard, and the surrounding area, were "free Poland", a small bit of territory that the authorities could not touch.
And now all of Poland is free, and we are all in a new era with new challenges.
Over the Christmas break, I've been reading a biography of Blessed Jerzy. The story is much more, than just a martyr-under-Communism - although he was that, and his martyrdom was savage. It is also the story of a dedicated priest, a model for today's young priests...and his story needs to be better known and understood here in the West.
Friday, January 02, 2015
Pope Francis today...
...gave a beautiful teaching for the New Year, on the feast of Mary, Mother of God. His words echo those of Papa Benedict XVI. And he couldn't have a better teacher. Continuity.
TODAY I SIGNED UP...
..for a course at the new School of the Annunciation, at Buckfast Abbey. I am keen to do the course, which will offer some training in passing on the Faith to the next generation. I already hold a diploma in Evangelisation (from Maryvale) but feel the need to learn more...
And the prospect of a weekend in the glorious setting of Buckfast Abbey in Devon is immenesly attractive. The countryside is enchanting, the Abbey Church is a magnificent place of worship, and it will be wonderful to study in a place of peace and good hospitality.
If things work out properly, I hope to be able to travel on to Torquay, just a few stops down the line, to make a further visit to the Ordinariate group there (see feature below by former BBC correspondent Catherine Utley).
Applying for the course involved getting a signature from my parish priest - who is splendid and always encouraging about this sort of thing - and also writing a 300-word piece about why I wanted to sign up. The short answer is "Because I want to be part of the New Evangelisation". The need is getting urgent. I am probably not going to be much use in evangelising, but at least I'll give it a go...
And the prospect of a weekend in the glorious setting of Buckfast Abbey in Devon is immenesly attractive. The countryside is enchanting, the Abbey Church is a magnificent place of worship, and it will be wonderful to study in a place of peace and good hospitality.
If things work out properly, I hope to be able to travel on to Torquay, just a few stops down the line, to make a further visit to the Ordinariate group there (see feature below by former BBC correspondent Catherine Utley).
Applying for the course involved getting a signature from my parish priest - who is splendid and always encouraging about this sort of thing - and also writing a 300-word piece about why I wanted to sign up. The short answer is "Because I want to be part of the New Evangelisation". The need is getting urgent. I am probably not going to be much use in evangelising, but at least I'll give it a go...
Thursday, January 01, 2015
"OUR FATHER..."
... London writer Michael Smith has produced a really good and thoughtful book on the Lord's Prayer. The Fulness of Life: Reflections on the Lord's Prayer for Today's World (St Paul's). It is a rich and beautiful meditation on the prayer, and is also readable and spiced with some strong insights that are highly relevant to the modern world and the ways in which we can serve God and one another.
It's a book written with real honesty: it tackles tough issues like sin, forgiveness, the need for personal repentance, the greatness of God's love and the joy in seeking and following his will for us. And it is not just a personal statement, although it includes some personal insights that give a freshness and humility to the writring. But he also quotes from, among others, St Paul, John Henry Newman, Charles Wesley, Billy Graham, and Benedict XVI,..I very much recommend this book and reading it has been a really good start for 2015.
It's a book written with real honesty: it tackles tough issues like sin, forgiveness, the need for personal repentance, the greatness of God's love and the joy in seeking and following his will for us. And it is not just a personal statement, although it includes some personal insights that give a freshness and humility to the writring. But he also quotes from, among others, St Paul, John Henry Newman, Charles Wesley, Billy Graham, and Benedict XVI,..I very much recommend this book and reading it has been a really good start for 2015.
We began 2015...
....with a family gathering on New Year's Eve: a house full of cheery noise and children, and an evening with fireworks and marshamallows and flapjack and party hats and streamers, The fireworks were splendid,, the rockets whoosing up into the sky to our oooohs and aaaahs, and applause muffled by woollen gloves and mittens.
There is absolutey nothing lovelier than sitting sipping a gin-and-tonic in a room full of family, by the light of a glittering Christmas Tree. Heaven will be a bit like that.
We stayed the night in Dorchester on Thames, where the bells of the Abbey were ringing out the old year and ringing in the new, the bells answering each other back and forth with glorious pealing beauty. This morning I wandered around the Abbey - over a thousand and a half years of history.
There is absolutey nothing lovelier than sitting sipping a gin-and-tonic in a room full of family, by the light of a glittering Christmas Tree. Heaven will be a bit like that.
We stayed the night in Dorchester on Thames, where the bells of the Abbey were ringing out the old year and ringing in the new, the bells answering each other back and forth with glorious pealing beauty. This morning I wandered around the Abbey - over a thousand and a half years of history.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Pondering 2014...
...as we launch into 2015...
Highlight of 2014 for Auntie was the canonisation of Sts John XXIII and John Paul II, on that golden spring day in Rome. To be among the 2 million or more pilgrims surging in the city on that day was a glorious experience. I cherish memories of meeting the great John Paul - and in an honoured place on the shelf in the small crowded room where I do most of my writing is the Bible that he signed for Jamie and me. He handed J. a rosary, which J. entrusted to my care and which I love using. He was "our" Pope, as he was for so many people of our generation. His picture is on the Papal Blessing that we received at our wedding - and we cherish equally the beautiful Blessing for our Silver Wedding that came from beloved Benedict XVI. How beautiful that Benedict was there at the canonisation...and how thrilling to be there in Rome when it happened,..
Highlight of 2014 for Auntie was the canonisation of Sts John XXIII and John Paul II, on that golden spring day in Rome. To be among the 2 million or more pilgrims surging in the city on that day was a glorious experience. I cherish memories of meeting the great John Paul - and in an honoured place on the shelf in the small crowded room where I do most of my writing is the Bible that he signed for Jamie and me. He handed J. a rosary, which J. entrusted to my care and which I love using. He was "our" Pope, as he was for so many people of our generation. His picture is on the Papal Blessing that we received at our wedding - and we cherish equally the beautiful Blessing for our Silver Wedding that came from beloved Benedict XVI. How beautiful that Benedict was there at the canonisation...and how thrilling to be there in Rome when it happened,..
Walking on Exmoor...
...we came across St Agnes' Well. Sparkling water bubbling up along a little lane not far from the village of Allerton. Enchanted by this, I sent an email to a priest-friend who has a special devotion to Agnes -his former parish was dedicated to this saint. It's known as a "holy well". Hmmm. Research reveales that the well was actually named for the daughter of the local landowner in the 19th century...but the spring is evidently older than that, so maybe there is a link to the Saint anyway...
Country walks, family time, a visit to a family grave in a country graveyard, local cloudy cider and excellent cheese, glorious views across Exmoor to the sea...and tomorrow we head back to London.
New projects - this afternoon was spent sorting out the diary for speaking engagements and history walks,.. and on arrival home, it's time for work on editing the latest EWTN programme, filmed in Poland earlier this year, ready for broadcasting early in 2015...
Country walks, family time, a visit to a family grave in a country graveyard, local cloudy cider and excellent cheese, glorious views across Exmoor to the sea...and tomorrow we head back to London.
New projects - this afternoon was spent sorting out the diary for speaking engagements and history walks,.. and on arrival home, it's time for work on editing the latest EWTN programme, filmed in Poland earlier this year, ready for broadcasting early in 2015...
Monday, December 29, 2014
HISTORY WALKS....
...start again soon. The first HISTORY WALK of 2015 will be on
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28th, starts 6.30pm (after the 5.30pm Mass) - meet on the steps of WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL.
All welcome - no need to book, just turn up! Dress warmly! We'll be following a Royal theme, looking at St James Park, Whitehall, and Westminster...
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28th, starts 6.30pm (after the 5.30pm Mass) - meet on the steps of WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL.
All welcome - no need to book, just turn up! Dress warmly! We'll be following a Royal theme, looking at St James Park, Whitehall, and Westminster...
Sunday, December 28, 2014
...and as a New Year beckons...
...here's something for your diary. Tuesday evenings with the FAITH Movement in London. Here are the dates: alternate Tuesdays throughout Jan, Feb, and March. No need to book - just turn up. Admission free - a glass of wine, pizza, and social chat after the main talk...
The venue: Basement hall, 24 Golden Square, LONDON WI...nearest tube PICADILLY CIRCUS.
Tuesday 13th January 2015
Is there life after death?
Fr Stephen Dingley
Tuesday 27th January 2015
Scandals in the Church: a way forward.
Mgr Keith Barltrop
Tuesday 10th February 2015
Are all religions equally valid?
Anna-Marie Treloar
Tuesday 24th February 2015
Can I love Christ but not the Church?
Sr Andrea Fraille
Tuesday 10th March 2015
The cosmic meaning of the Eucharist
Fr Roger Nesbitt
Tuesday 24th March 2015
Should the Church impose lifestyle choices?
Edward Hadas
7:30pm @ basement of 24 Golden Square, LONDON W1
The venue: Basement hall, 24 Golden Square, LONDON WI...nearest tube PICADILLY CIRCUS.
Tuesday 13th January 2015
Is there life after death?
Fr Stephen Dingley
Tuesday 27th January 2015
Scandals in the Church: a way forward.
Mgr Keith Barltrop
Tuesday 10th February 2015
Are all religions equally valid?
Anna-Marie Treloar
Tuesday 24th February 2015
Can I love Christ but not the Church?
Sr Andrea Fraille
Tuesday 10th March 2015
The cosmic meaning of the Eucharist
Fr Roger Nesbitt
Tuesday 24th March 2015
Should the Church impose lifestyle choices?
Edward Hadas
7:30pm @ basement of 24 Golden Square, LONDON W1
Friday, December 26, 2014
Christmas...
...with family...Mass in a country church, meeting old friends, swapping news and greetings...a splendid dinner with platefuls of delicious roast turkey and chestnuts and cranberry sauce...the Queen's annual message - it is so lovely that every year she quietly and touchingly speaks about Jesus Christ and affirms his message...a walk to the river, the trees with bleak exquisite starkness against the winter sky, house-lights glowing,people greeting each other with "Merry Christmas" in passing... and an evening of jigsaws and music and chocolates and wine and talk and laughter with the Christmas Tree glittering...
Christmas blessings to readers of this Blog....
Christmas blessings to readers of this Blog....
Friday, December 19, 2014
Dennis O'Keeffe RIP...
...writer, academic, and a great voice for freedom...Dennis O'Keefe was one of a small group of British academics who worked in Poland in the years of martial law, lecturing in the "flying university" through which people, meeting in private homes and facing the possibility of arrest, could hear and take part in talks on philosophy, economics, and politics. In this, and through his books and journalism, Dennis was one of the courageous people supporting the emergence of a free Poland.
He died this week after some years spent in full-time hospice care following a serious accident. His courage and faith during these difficult years were deeply moving, as was the wonderful love of his family which surrounded him.
Dennis'writing was witty, well-researched, and challening. He had no time for cliches and trite observations. Nor was he simply a commentator: his was always the voice of a teacher rather than a journalist, and he worked for positive solutions to social problems, rather than simply analysing or proclaiming. And his sinccere Catholic faith gave a depth and warmth to his thinking at every point.
I will always cherish the memory of the conversations in the hospice years - he was not the sort of person who wanted to talk about himself, but the story of his work in Poland did emerge, and - always unselfish and open to new hope and fresh possibilities - he was keen to put me in contact with people there who were helpful in my own researches for a book on St John Paul.
May this good man rest in peace.
He died this week after some years spent in full-time hospice care following a serious accident. His courage and faith during these difficult years were deeply moving, as was the wonderful love of his family which surrounded him.
Dennis'writing was witty, well-researched, and challening. He had no time for cliches and trite observations. Nor was he simply a commentator: his was always the voice of a teacher rather than a journalist, and he worked for positive solutions to social problems, rather than simply analysing or proclaiming. And his sinccere Catholic faith gave a depth and warmth to his thinking at every point.
I will always cherish the memory of the conversations in the hospice years - he was not the sort of person who wanted to talk about himself, but the story of his work in Poland did emerge, and - always unselfish and open to new hope and fresh possibilities - he was keen to put me in contact with people there who were helpful in my own researches for a book on St John Paul.
May this good man rest in peace.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Illiteracy...
..is it worth trying to talk to the manager? Does it really matter?
I don't think that the team in the local Tescos meant to be ironic when they put up the big new notice which says: "It's the imaginary ingredients in our bread that make the difference."
I don't think that the team in the local Tescos meant to be ironic when they put up the big new notice which says: "It's the imaginary ingredients in our bread that make the difference."
Prison...
...and the route from the railway station to the prison where I do some visiting is a particularly ugly and smelly walk beside a main road, which in a particularly sad way retains some hints of its former setting as a rural- pathway-alongside-a-meadow...
This particular prison is, however, itself clean and with good provision for education, for family visits, for access to fair advice and help, and more..
I am increasingly impressed by the work of our Catholic prison chaplains, priests who give themselves in service to people that others might want to forget or dismiss as being unworthy of good spiritual care. And there is serious work being done: instruction, baptisms, confessions, talks and use of videos (Fr Robert Barron's Catholicism series, the excellent Evangelium material, and more)...and good numbers for Mass.
Pray for prisoners. Pray for the chap being confirmed next week. Pray for the one who is distraught about the break-up with his girlfriend. Pray for the men I met today.
This particular prison is, however, itself clean and with good provision for education, for family visits, for access to fair advice and help, and more..
I am increasingly impressed by the work of our Catholic prison chaplains, priests who give themselves in service to people that others might want to forget or dismiss as being unworthy of good spiritual care. And there is serious work being done: instruction, baptisms, confessions, talks and use of videos (Fr Robert Barron's Catholicism series, the excellent Evangelium material, and more)...and good numbers for Mass.
Pray for prisoners. Pray for the chap being confirmed next week. Pray for the one who is distraught about the break-up with his girlfriend. Pray for the men I met today.
...and...
...further to the ghastly news of the ruling today by a judge in the Supreme Court concerning conscientious objections to abortion - see this excellent commentary by a senior lawyer...
Back in the 1970s...
...there were huge - HUGE - crowds at marches in London and elsewhere to oppose the 1967 Abortion Act and the widespread killing of unborn babies...I remember speaking at a rally in London where even the BBC admitted some 80,000 people were present, and the real figure was probably much nearer 100, 000.
I remember that in those days, people who supported abortion tended to say "Well, no one is forcing you to have anything to do with it, are they?" An odd remark, because if you are obliged to fund abortion through your taxes, and if you know you should have some care for your neighbours and for human life and for the common good, then you can and must speak out and try to do something when abortion is becoming a part of everyday life...
However,there was and is a "conscience clause" in the Abortion Act that is meant to protect medical staff who knew that involvement in aborting babies is wrong...
Now, today, a Supreme Court judge has announced that midwives do not have the right to refuse, as a matter of conscience, to supervise the provision of abortions on their ward. The judge seems to think that anyone who opposes abortion has a sort of duty to ensure that others provide it - which is most certainly not what the lawmakers had in mind, and seems opposed to any ordinary reading of the Act.
Pray for a revival of spiritual and moral values, and common sense and human decency, in our country.
I remember that in those days, people who supported abortion tended to say "Well, no one is forcing you to have anything to do with it, are they?" An odd remark, because if you are obliged to fund abortion through your taxes, and if you know you should have some care for your neighbours and for human life and for the common good, then you can and must speak out and try to do something when abortion is becoming a part of everyday life...
However,there was and is a "conscience clause" in the Abortion Act that is meant to protect medical staff who knew that involvement in aborting babies is wrong...
Now, today, a Supreme Court judge has announced that midwives do not have the right to refuse, as a matter of conscience, to supervise the provision of abortions on their ward. The judge seems to think that anyone who opposes abortion has a sort of duty to ensure that others provide it - which is most certainly not what the lawmakers had in mind, and seems opposed to any ordinary reading of the Act.
Pray for a revival of spiritual and moral values, and common sense and human decency, in our country.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
An invitation...
...to a book launch can mean a slightly bleak evening, with some wine and potato crisps and not many people, and a publisher anxiously hoping that somehow all this will result in some sales...
But the book launch I attended this evening was utterly different. An absolutrely packed Westminster Cathedral Hall, lots of young families, a stirring call to evangelise, and at one point we were all invited to sing (yes, you read that correctly) the Hail Mary, and everyone stood up and did so, in rousing style, to a tune I had never heard before.
This was all to launch a book, The Kerygma, by Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neo-Catechuemenate. I heard the word Kerygma ( you say it: Kare-ig-ma) a lot when studying evangelisation at Maryvale: it means the first proclamation of the Gospel, the invitation to encounter Christ.
The Neo-Cats are impressive: enthusiastic, prayerful, practical.There was a warm welcome, interesting speeches, a good atmosphere, and a delicious buffet with sandwiches and snacks and cakes, and plenty of wine. Cardinal Vincent Nichols was there and spoke well, quoting Pope Francis and encouraging us to ake the Gospel out to the lonely and the confused and the needy. A Christmas Tree glittered on the stage, alongside a massive icon depicting the Nativity. A Neo-Cat priest encouraged us to think about three angels - messengers. First, Lucifer, the fallen angel, who tempted Eve and succeeded in getting her to put her own wishes first and disobey God. Then the second angelic messenger - Gabriel, to Mary, who opened her heart to God and said "Yes". And then us - each of us should be a messenger...
I'm enjoying the book and will report on it in due course.
But the book launch I attended this evening was utterly different. An absolutrely packed Westminster Cathedral Hall, lots of young families, a stirring call to evangelise, and at one point we were all invited to sing (yes, you read that correctly) the Hail Mary, and everyone stood up and did so, in rousing style, to a tune I had never heard before.
This was all to launch a book, The Kerygma, by Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neo-Catechuemenate. I heard the word Kerygma ( you say it: Kare-ig-ma) a lot when studying evangelisation at Maryvale: it means the first proclamation of the Gospel, the invitation to encounter Christ.
The Neo-Cats are impressive: enthusiastic, prayerful, practical.There was a warm welcome, interesting speeches, a good atmosphere, and a delicious buffet with sandwiches and snacks and cakes, and plenty of wine. Cardinal Vincent Nichols was there and spoke well, quoting Pope Francis and encouraging us to ake the Gospel out to the lonely and the confused and the needy. A Christmas Tree glittered on the stage, alongside a massive icon depicting the Nativity. A Neo-Cat priest encouraged us to think about three angels - messengers. First, Lucifer, the fallen angel, who tempted Eve and succeeded in getting her to put her own wishes first and disobey God. Then the second angelic messenger - Gabriel, to Mary, who opened her heart to God and said "Yes". And then us - each of us should be a messenger...
I'm enjoying the book and will report on it in due course.
A celebration...
...of the Jewish festival of Chanukah was held in London today - a young friend attended and loved it, and there is a useful description and explanation of it all here, from the Council of Christians and Jews.
The Council of Christians and Jews does good work, and I am glad to be able to commend it.
The Council of Christians and Jews does good work, and I am glad to be able to commend it.
A picture of St John Paul the Great...
...blessed by Mgr Keith Newton at the TOWARDS ADVENT Festival, will now be given to a Catholic residential home for the elderly. Once a year, it will leave there, and be carried on the John Paul Walking Pilgrimage to Walsingham, which in 2015 marks its 10th anniversary. The Pilgrimage is organised by the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph.
I am about to take the picture, which is an embroidered one with the embroiderer's signature on the back, to the Home...
Those who attended the TOWARDS ADVENT Festival may remember the two very charming children who brought it forward to be blessed, and the solemn and reverent way that they stood holding it as the beautiful prayer was said...a very special moment.
I am about to take the picture, which is an embroidered one with the embroiderer's signature on the back, to the Home...
Those who attended the TOWARDS ADVENT Festival may remember the two very charming children who brought it forward to be blessed, and the solemn and reverent way that they stood holding it as the beautiful prayer was said...a very special moment.
Christmas cards...
...tucked along every bookcase and in the useful Christmas-card holders than I bought years ago from Aid to the Church in Need and are among the best purchases I've ever made. Candles on the Advent wreath. Gifts in cheery wrapping paper and bright ribbons. I love it all.
Soon I'll erect the crib, with its special angel. Special? Yes...some years ago I punctured my bike on my way to a friend's house. Fortunately I was just outside a bicycle shop, so hurried in and the tyre was swiftly mended while I chatted and admired the shop's little Christmas tree topped with an angel. I set off again..and five minutes later, the bike ran over some broken glass in the next street, and the other tyre was punctured. I was cross, and fed up. No mobile phones in those days...I'd be horribly delayed, people would be upset. I dragged the bike back to the shop in a bad temper. The man was kind and briskly got to work and as I left he told me "Take the angel. You look as if you need one!" I was embarrassed, but he insisted. And the angel has been part of our family Christmas ever since, hanging over the Christ-child in the manger, in white and gold with swooping wings...
Soon I'll erect the crib, with its special angel. Special? Yes...some years ago I punctured my bike on my way to a friend's house. Fortunately I was just outside a bicycle shop, so hurried in and the tyre was swiftly mended while I chatted and admired the shop's little Christmas tree topped with an angel. I set off again..and five minutes later, the bike ran over some broken glass in the next street, and the other tyre was punctured. I was cross, and fed up. No mobile phones in those days...I'd be horribly delayed, people would be upset. I dragged the bike back to the shop in a bad temper. The man was kind and briskly got to work and as I left he told me "Take the angel. You look as if you need one!" I was embarrassed, but he insisted. And the angel has been part of our family Christmas ever since, hanging over the Christ-child in the manger, in white and gold with swooping wings...
I received some panicky emails and messages ...
...one from a from good and faithful soul, some from self-appointed know-it-alls who announce that they are the-Faithful-remnant-of-Traditional-Catholicism. All were gulping and worrying, because they believed stories that the Pope had announced that animals go to Heaven when they die.
I didn't reply because I am a busy woman and assumed that the Pope had made no such announcement.
I was right. Read here.
I didn't reply because I am a busy woman and assumed that the Pope had made no such announcement.
I was right. Read here.
Monday, December 15, 2014
...and a wonderful welcome in Torquay...
...where the choir at the Ordinariate Mass sang a joyful "Gaudete! Gaudete!" and I enjoyed a delicious lunch and got the whole story on the Torquay Ordinariate project.The local Methodists in Chelston have had to leave their church, and have asked the Ordinariate to "keep the flame of faith burning" there, Fr David and his team are committed to doing just that, and more - and they will need your help and mine to do so.
Send them a Christmas donation, large or small. This is your opportunity to do something positive in response to that moan that has become so popular "Oh, we are no longer a Christian country..."
The Torbay team are busy with outreach - their charity shop not only offers a magnificent local service but is also a place of welcome, good cheer, advice, counsel and simple neighourly friendship for the lonely...the church will be a place of glorious worship, sound teaching, youth activities, and mission. This is a story of hope as a New Year beckons...join in and be part of it!
Send them a Christmas donation, large or small. This is your opportunity to do something positive in response to that moan that has become so popular "Oh, we are no longer a Christian country..."
The Torbay team are busy with outreach - their charity shop not only offers a magnificent local service but is also a place of welcome, good cheer, advice, counsel and simple neighourly friendship for the lonely...the church will be a place of glorious worship, sound teaching, youth activities, and mission. This is a story of hope as a New Year beckons...join in and be part of it!
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Frosty fields...
...in the early morning as the bus trundles through Somerset. I am visiting an elderly relative, and the walk up the hill with glorious views of Exmoor is pure delight. But the chill of the day doesn't work so well for a lady in a wheelchair, and the warmth of an Indian restaurant and a dish of seafoord korma suits her better. As we meet frequently, there isn't much family news to tell, so we enjoy reminiscing...
An evening of writing Christmas cards. Tomorrow I am getting up early to go to Mass at Torquay, because there's a church thyere I specialoly want to visit...
An evening of writing Christmas cards. Tomorrow I am getting up early to go to Mass at Torquay, because there's a church thyere I specialoly want to visit...
Friday, December 12, 2014
Evensong...
...followed by the Advent Course at Precious Blood Church, London Bridge. We pondered the message of various images of the Annunciation - an early one from the East, a glorious one by Fra Angelico, a more modern pre-Raphaelite one. Lots to think about...in Fra Angelico's picture, the sacred space between the Angel and the Virgin, the latter's hands clasped in prayer...in the pre-Raphaelite one, the flames of fire around the Angel's feet...
At Evensong, one of the Scripture readings was the story of Ruth amid the corn...later, we got talking about it...the significance of Christ's genealogy, that reference to Bethlehem...we decided to ask for a specific session on that at some stage.
People say "Christmas is for children", but in my experience it all gets much, much, more important and thrilling and exciting as you get older. The mystery of the Incarnation is so enormous.
As a child, I simply found Advent to be a time of gosh-we-are-one-day-nearer-Christmas, with my mind fixed on gifts under the Tree, and delicious smells in the kitchen. I loved making paper chains and singing carols and putting up the Crib, and of course had one of those Blue Peter Advent Wreaths made of old coat-hangers...(remember? Oh...Mondays and Thursdays, and that familiar signature tune...) But with adulthood came the dawning realisation of the fullness of what we were all celebrating, and every year the wonder of it grows.
At Evensong, one of the Scripture readings was the story of Ruth amid the corn...later, we got talking about it...the significance of Christ's genealogy, that reference to Bethlehem...we decided to ask for a specific session on that at some stage.
People say "Christmas is for children", but in my experience it all gets much, much, more important and thrilling and exciting as you get older. The mystery of the Incarnation is so enormous.
As a child, I simply found Advent to be a time of gosh-we-are-one-day-nearer-Christmas, with my mind fixed on gifts under the Tree, and delicious smells in the kitchen. I loved making paper chains and singing carols and putting up the Crib, and of course had one of those Blue Peter Advent Wreaths made of old coat-hangers...(remember? Oh...Mondays and Thursdays, and that familiar signature tune...) But with adulthood came the dawning realisation of the fullness of what we were all celebrating, and every year the wonder of it grows.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The New Movements...
...in the Catholic Church had a big gathering recently in Rome. And here in Britain they have an occasional get-teogether, with a representative or two from each group...and today I went along for the first time, representing the FAITH Movement. It was a useful and friendly day, with quite an upbeat feel, and I learned a lot. There were a good many people I already knew, and we were given a warm welcome at the Focolare Centre in Welwyn Garden City (never been there before...it really is a garden city, at least the part where you approach it from the railway station...all wide lawns and green spaces with shops alongside).
The people from the Neo-Catechumenate were interesting - I met them once on Ealing Common where they were doing a sort of mission/evangelisation thing. They've just published a book by their founder, which will be launched at Westminster Cathedral Hall next week.
The people from the Neo-Catechumenate were interesting - I met them once on Ealing Common where they were doing a sort of mission/evangelisation thing. They've just published a book by their founder, which will be launched at Westminster Cathedral Hall next week.
Sunday, December 07, 2014
A weekend...
...in the country with friends. They were hosting a fund-raising event for a local church, so a busy evening and lots of cheery talk and hurrying around with plates of delicious sandwiches and snacks, finishing with carols and mince pies. Next morning an early Mass followed by a good breakfast and a morning enjoying the outdoors, and writing Christmas cards by a log fire...then a great family lunch with lots of guests, and finally a reluctant departure for home...
IN GOOD VOICE...
...a grand carol singing team gathered at London Bridge station on Friday, and it was tremendous fun. We sang all the traditional carols:"Hark the Herald Angels" "Away in a Manger" "Once in Royal David's City" "Good King Wenceslas" "We Three Kings" "O come all ye faithful"...the works. And there was a wonderful response. People gave money. They came and joined in. They brought their children along to enjoy us. And one lady was to enthusiastic that she presented us with a magnificent bouquet of flowers!
It was all wonderful, and when had given the crowds and crowds of commuters a good couple of hours of singing, we hurried back through the damp cold streets to the Rectory at Precious Blood Church, and enjoyed lots of mulled wine provided by younger members of the team and served in proper style with sliced oranges and sugar and spices. A grand evening.
It was all wonderful, and when had given the crowds and crowds of commuters a good couple of hours of singing, we hurried back through the damp cold streets to the Rectory at Precious Blood Church, and enjoyed lots of mulled wine provided by younger members of the team and served in proper style with sliced oranges and sugar and spices. A grand evening.
Friday, December 05, 2014
Encountering Christ...
...was the topic of a lecture by Fr Michael Holman, former headmaster of Wimbledon College, organised by the Catholic Union, and held at the London campus of Notre Dame University (which is just off Trafalgar Square). It was thoughtful and challenging - asking how we can help young people to discover Christ as a true friend, to have a real relationship with him...recognising the sad reality that so many young people cease attending church after about the age of 14 (with Confirmation being widely named as the "sacrament of departure"), and asking important questions about how families and Catholic schools can open up the way to change that...
Families are central of course - part of the essence of God's plan for humanity.Celebrating the message of Christ at home, in the feasts and seasons, the traditions and ceremonies that mark the Church's year and our lives...in a discussion, when we were invited to think about the people who had most influenced our faith and its practice, parents and family were the first people mentioned.
A Catholic school has a particular role - you cannot love what you do not know, and young people have a right to know about Christ.
Among much else, Fr Michael quoted from - an unlikely source - the spiritual autobiography of a former Lord Chancellor, Lord Hailsham The Door Wherein I went. Hailsham writes of discovering the lovableness of Christ, the joy and vibrancy he communicated...a Person you could love, and want to know for always.
"When I am asked about the utility of Christianity I must point to the consolations of living your life in the companionship of this person who commands your love and adoration precisely because having been through it all and sympathizing with it all he cheers you up and will not have you sad. Your shame at your own misdoings and shortcomings, your sense of awe and fear of the divine majesty, your broken heart in the presence of sickness and bereavement melts in the prsence of this person into the sheer wonder and delight which the happiness of his presence excites."
A JOYFUL...
...gathering in Parliament where Baroness Cox presented the prizes gained by pupils from schools across Britain in the 2014 Schools Bible Project. This was our 25th annual Project and it was, as always, a real delight to meet the young people and their families and teachers. It was a very happy day.
In the Project - open to pupils at all secondary schools in Britain - pupils are invited to imagine themselves present at one of the great events in the life of Christ. They are given six events from which to choose - the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, the Raising of Jairus' Daughter, the Crucifixion, the encounter with Mary Magdalene on Easter morning...every essay is read and prizes are awarded. Top prizewinners come to London to receive their awards from Baroness Cox, who is one of our Trustees. They are given a tour of Parliament, and Tea...
This is an ecumenical venture, organised by Christian Projects, a fine example of Christians working together.
In the Project - open to pupils at all secondary schools in Britain - pupils are invited to imagine themselves present at one of the great events in the life of Christ. They are given six events from which to choose - the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, the Raising of Jairus' Daughter, the Crucifixion, the encounter with Mary Magdalene on Easter morning...every essay is read and prizes are awarded. Top prizewinners come to London to receive their awards from Baroness Cox, who is one of our Trustees. They are given a tour of Parliament, and Tea...
This is an ecumenical venture, organised by Christian Projects, a fine example of Christians working together.
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
Come and hear us...
...and join in if you like. The LOGS are singing at London Bridge railway station on Friday, in the busiest part of London's rush-hour, starting at 6pm. We'll be in good voice, and all support will be welcomed...
For American readers (of which I seem to have a lot): London Bridge is one of the busiest railway stations in the country with something like a million commuters surging through it daily. The railway lines come in from South East London and Kent, and people pour out to cross the river into the City in the mornings...and then in the evenings, all come surging back again to get to their homes in the suburbs or out into Kent...
For American readers (of which I seem to have a lot): London Bridge is one of the busiest railway stations in the country with something like a million commuters surging through it daily. The railway lines come in from South East London and Kent, and people pour out to cross the river into the City in the mornings...and then in the evenings, all come surging back again to get to their homes in the suburbs or out into Kent...
Tuesday, December 02, 2014
A local history society...
...in Surbiton, invited me to talk to them about "Traditional feasts and seasons". An interested audience, a sense of a shared heritage...and a particular pleasure to be there as I spent some happy years on the excellent Surrey Comet newspaper when it was based in the centre of Kingston, right opposite the parish church (where my father's regimental colours are laid up)...
Talking about Christmas customs, Advent wreaths, and Santa Claus makes sense to an audience that has a familiarity with the basics: Luke's Gospel account, the significance of March 25th and hence its links with the feast of Midsummer (St John the Baptist) and with Christmas at midwinter...what will it be like when a group such as this lacks this bedrock knowledge? A friend recently described a visit to an art gallery where an erudite art historian talked a group through some of the great religious art. A young student asked "Can you recommend a good book that would tell more about the stories shown in these pictures?"
Yes, indeed there is a Good Book, and it is heartbreaking that today's young are not familiar with it. The world's rich heritage of art and music - and literature, and archirecture, and songs, and jokes, and nursery rhymes, and pub signs, and so much more - is closed to those who do not know who Moses was, who Christ was, what the Ten Commandments are, what happened on Calvary...who do not immediately respond to words like "Good Samaritan" "Loaves and Fishes" "Last Supper"....
Oh, the pity of it...
And it is no use just moaning. Find out about solutions, and worthwhile projects. The Schools Bible Project has its prizegiving this week - more info on this later.
Talking about Christmas customs, Advent wreaths, and Santa Claus makes sense to an audience that has a familiarity with the basics: Luke's Gospel account, the significance of March 25th and hence its links with the feast of Midsummer (St John the Baptist) and with Christmas at midwinter...what will it be like when a group such as this lacks this bedrock knowledge? A friend recently described a visit to an art gallery where an erudite art historian talked a group through some of the great religious art. A young student asked "Can you recommend a good book that would tell more about the stories shown in these pictures?"
Yes, indeed there is a Good Book, and it is heartbreaking that today's young are not familiar with it. The world's rich heritage of art and music - and literature, and archirecture, and songs, and jokes, and nursery rhymes, and pub signs, and so much more - is closed to those who do not know who Moses was, who Christ was, what the Ten Commandments are, what happened on Calvary...who do not immediately respond to words like "Good Samaritan" "Loaves and Fishes" "Last Supper"....
Oh, the pity of it...
And it is no use just moaning. Find out about solutions, and worthwhile projects. The Schools Bible Project has its prizegiving this week - more info on this later.
Through dark suburban streets...
...at 6 am to catch the train via London to Bishops Stortford to be at this school for Morning Assembly.to present awards to pupils in the 2014 Towards Advent essay project. I was uncertain of the route to the school from the railway station, but needn't have worried - a cheerful and courteous group of pupils were on the train and I walked with them. All looked v. smart in their school uniforms...the girls wear beautiful ankle-length kilts, giving them a look of poise. They all exuded confidence and seemed happy to be hurrying to school...later, as I faced a group gathered for Morning Assembly, I felt welcomed and I really enjoyed handing out the prizes and explaining about the project (you can read about it on the Towards Advent blog here).
Back on the train to London through misty countryside and grey suburbs with bright windows - tube to Bank and then a walk across London Bridge, which on a grey winter morning is rather magnificent, with Tower Bridge just a bit further down-river, and lights gleaming everywhere...lunchtime Mass at Precious Blood Church and then lunch w. a friend who is active with the School of the Annunciation and the New Evangelisation...
...which in the Britain of the 21st century will be badly needed. Latest figures just published: most popular name for newborn boys in Britain is now Mohammed.
Back on the train to London through misty countryside and grey suburbs with bright windows - tube to Bank and then a walk across London Bridge, which on a grey winter morning is rather magnificent, with Tower Bridge just a bit further down-river, and lights gleaming everywhere...lunchtime Mass at Precious Blood Church and then lunch w. a friend who is active with the School of the Annunciation and the New Evangelisation...
...which in the Britain of the 21st century will be badly needed. Latest figures just published: most popular name for newborn boys in Britain is now Mohammed.
Monday, December 01, 2014
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)